Mercedes sources have not ‘100%’ ruled out signing £7.3m-a-year driver to replace Kimi Antonelli

Follow us on Google Discover

Mercedes are set to confirm George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as their drivers for the 2026 Formula 1 season, but are still keeping a close eye on one rival in the paddock.

Kimi Antonelli produced one of his best qualifying performances of the season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Amid all of the chaos, Antonelli put his Mercedes in fourth, a position ahead of teammate George Russell.

Russell has been unwell all weekend, but Mercedes are positioned well to score a podium in Baku.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has assured both of his drivers that they will be racing for the team in 2026.

Question marks over Russell’s negotiations with Mercedes have existed for some time, which might be why an extension hasn’t been announced yet.

However, Mercedes will know that there are several drivers at midfield teams right now who would take an approach seriously if it were to materialise.

Carlos Sainz had a stellar qualifying session for Williams in Baku and will start on the front row of the grid alongside Max Verstappen.

Sainz has been linked with Mercedes in the past, and while a move is extremely unlikely, it hasn’t been ’100%’ ruled out.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Mercedes sources can’t ‘100%’ rule out replacing Kimi Antonelli with Carlos Sainz

A report from Next Gen Auto has shared more details from the paddock in Baku.

There have been previous suggestions that Antonelli could be sent to Williams after a difficult first year with Mercedes, having scored just three points since his podium finish in Canada.

However, ‘a source within Mercedes’ wasn’t able to ‘100%’ rule out a move for Sainz, but admitted it was ‘highly doubtful’ at this stage.

The source explained: “Kimi has a long-term contract as a Mercedes junior driver, and I don’t think there will be any problems with its renewal, especially if he gets good results in the next few races.

“The Williams option seems unlikely to me.”

Wolff called Antonelli ‘underwhelming’ following the Italian Grand Prix, where a crash in FP2 scuppered his preparations, and he was then penalised for overly aggressive driving in his battle with Alex Albon.

However, he’s once again shown signs of progress in qualifying in Baku, but Sainz was one of the stars of the show.

Sainz, who is on a £7.3m-a-year contract, starts on the front row of the grid and could secure Williams’ first podium since Russell’s P2 at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix when just a single lap was raced.

READ MORE: Williams star Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

Carlos Sainz says Williams nailed ‘every call’ during Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying

Speaking in his post-qualifying media session with Williams, Sainz admitted: “Great effort today! Very happy! We executed a very difficult qualifying perfectly, nailing every call and putting together some very solid laps when it mattered the most.

“We need to feel proud of the steps we are making and today’s result, but at the same time, the weekend is not over yet.

“Tomorrow will be tough, but I fully trust I have strong pace and I will do everything to bring home a great result. Let’s go for it!”

The 31-year-old hasn’t had the easiest maiden campaign with Williams, and currently sits 54 points behind his teammate, Albon.

However, with the Thai driver starting at the back of the grid in Baku following a mistake in Q1, he could put a serious dent in that lead on Sunday.

That might remind some of the biggest teams in the paddock of his talent, and he’ll be a name that’s regularly discussed during next year’s driver market.